Category Archives: Home Ownership

On May 17, 2016, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) will celebrate National Real Estate Day, a day for all Canadians to celebrate the benefits of home ownership.

TREB President Mark McLean will kick off the celebration on Breakfast Television at 6:20 a.m. and discuss the meaning of National Real Estate Day.

“With National Real Estate Day, we finally have a forum for all Canadians to discuss why they love their home and how home ownership has positively impacted their lives,” said McLean.

In his appearance, McLean will talk about the positive effects owning a home can have on an individual and/or family. “Home ownership is a great investment. It’s a straightforward way to build a solid financial future, and it’s also the only investment you can live in,” said McLean.

“On top of the financial benefits, research shows several other benefits of home ownership. For instance, homeowners have been found to have an increased sense of pride, security, and stability,” McLean noted.

McLean also mentioned many more positive spin-offs associated with home ownership. The TREB President noted several other positive statistics from a 2015 Habitat for Humanity research project “Transforming Lives,” that owning a home can also improve the education outlook of your children, improve your family’s health through higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of psychological distress, and increase levels of civic involvement and charitable support in your community.

“So, in the interest of your family’s well-being and your financial future,” said McLean, “it’s wise to make the transition to home ownership at your earliest opportunity.”

McLean will also urge viewers to get involved in the national conversation on social media by sharing why they love their home and how home ownership has positively impacted their life by using the hashtag #iheartrealestate on Facebook and on Twitter @TREBhome. For all the details visit TREBhome.com/NRED.

At noon on May 17, there will be a live Twitter Chat hosted by TREB that features the chance to win prizes for participating.

Breakfast Television and TREB President will announce a contest that would enable one lucky winner to take home a $3,000 Rona Home and Garden gift card to help with their home ownership goals.

Talk to a Toronto Real Estate Board Professional Member REALTOR®. For updates on the real estate market, visit TREBhome.com. If commercial property is what interests you, contact a TREB Commercial Professional Member REALTOR® by visiting trebcommercial.com.

OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada on March 4, 2015, announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 3/4 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/2 per cent.

Total CPI inflation in Canada has fallen as expected, reflecting the significant drop in oil prices. Core inflation remains close to 2 per cent and continues to be temporarily boosted by the pass-through effects of the lower Canadian dollar, as well as sector-specific factors.

The global economy is evolving broadly in line with projections in the Bank’s January Monetary Policy Report (MPR). The United States remains the main source of momentum in the global economy, while headwinds to growth linger in many regions.

In this context, a growing number of central banks have taken actions to ease monetary conditions. Crude oil prices are close to the Bank’s MPR assumptions.

Canadian economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2014 was consistent with the Bank’s expectations. The oil price shock had a modest early impact on aggregate demand, and a larger effect on income. The Bank continues to expect that most of the negative impact from lower oil prices will appear in the first half of 2015, although it may be even more front-loaded than projected in January. Nevertheless, data for 2014 as a whole suggest the anticipated rotation into stronger growth in non-energy exports and investment is well underway.

Financial conditions in Canada have eased materially since January, in response to the Bank’s recent monetary policy action and to global financial developments. This easing is reflected across the yield curve and in a wide range of asset prices, including the Canadian dollar. These conditions will mitigate the negative effects of the oil price shock, further boosting growth through stronger non-energy exports and investment.

In light of these developments, the risks around the inflation profile are now more balanced and financial stability risks are evolving as expected in January. At present, we judge that the current degree of monetary policy stimulus is still appropriate and the target for the overnight rate remains at 3/4 per cent.

1. Garden Mum

This plant was found by NASA to be a real air-purifying beast. It removes ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from your home’s air. It’s popular and inexpensive, plus they can be planted outside too.

2. Spider Plant

Spider plants are incredibly easy to grow, so if you’re a beginner, this is a great one to start with. It lights bright, indirect light and sends out shoots with flowers on them that will eventually grow into baby spider plants that you can propagate yourself. Before too long, you’ll have more spider plants than you’ll know what to do with.

3. Dracaena

There are over 40 kinds of dracaena plants, which makes it easy to find the right one for you. They remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air. They are toxic to cats and dogs though, so if you have pets, you might want to think twice about this one.

4. Ficus

Ficus trees are a favorite of mine as they are able to grow quite large depending on the type of pot you have them in. They typically stand between 2 and 10 feet tall and have some serious air cleaning abilities. You can also keep it outside in the spring and summer. The ficus removes benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from indoor air.

5. Peace Lily

Not only does the peace lily send up beautiful flowers, but they’re impossible to kill and have great air cleaning abilities. They flower through most of the summer and prefer shady spots with moist but not soggy soil. It removes ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Boston fern

This plant likes cool locations with high humidity and indirect light. Bathrooms are a perfect spot for these little friends. They remove pollutants like xylene and formaldehyde from indoor air.

7. Snake Plant/Mother-in-law’s Tongue

I see this one all over the place in offices and restaurants – and for good reason. They’re pretty much impossible to kill. They need water only occasionally and prefer drier conditions. They don’t need much direct sunlight either. They remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene and xylene from indoor air.

8. Bamboo Palm

Bamboo palms are most effective at filtering formaldehyde. They thrive in full sun and bright light. They grow as high as 12 foot too, making them an incredible presence indoors. They remove benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe is a multi-use plant for sure. It has health benefits when consumed in smaller amounts, helps relieve burns, and cleans your indoor air as well. It removes formaldehyde effectively from indoor air.

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4 Tips for Getting the Lowest Mortgage Rate

Whatever time of life you find yourself, picking up a mortgage is no little step. This is a big decision and comes with things such as monthly payments and interest rates. If you find yourself wondering how to get the lowest mortgage rate, look no further. Here are four tips that will help you get the lowest mortgage rate you can.

Fixed versus adjustable rates

Your first step will be to decide which of the two main types of mortgage rates is going to benefit you in the long run: fixed or adjustable. With fixed rates, you pay a consistent rate for the duration of your mortgage, which is nice when rates and other costs change or fluctuate; this can stink though if rates lower later down the road. With adjustable rates, you are making a bit of a gamble; the rate will be locked for a given time, but after that it can go lower or the higher depending. Private Mortgage Lenders Toronto can help you make the best decision.

What is your credit?

As with any financial venture, having good credit is going to work in your favour. The lower your score, the more likely your mortgage rate will rise. If your credit is not so great, you can perform damage control before asking for the mortgage; if this is not possible you should not hide it or try to avoid giving certain information. Some Mortgage Lenders Toronto are willing to work with you if you are upfront and don’t try to hide anything.

Bigger down payment

If you pay more at the start, the less you have to pay later; this works for the mortgage payment itself as well as the interest rate. For the Lowest Mortgage Rates Toronto, you will want to make the down payment the most beneficial. While it is common to pay the minimum amount at the start of your payments, putting more into the initial down payment will help in the long run as you see the lower amount of interest that you pay. A Commercial Mortgage Broker in Toronto can help guide you as you move forward.

Paying for points

A Mortgage Broker in Toronto may or may not suggest paying for points, meaning that you pay a certain amount of the loan in exchange for the interest rate lowering. There are ups and downs to this method as with any other. There are positive points where your rate is lowered, but there are also negative points where the lender reduces the fees for a higher ongoing rate.

Getting a low mortgage rate is going to take a bit of work on your part. Go into the situation with your eyes open to everything, being mindful of the here and now as well as what may or may not happen in a few years.

Builders of a newly finished home in British Columbia are claiming it’s one of the greenest in the country.

The Midori Uchi, Japanese for “green home”, is one of the Lower Mainland’s first “net-zero” houses, meaning it will create more energy than it consumes each year.

It was built with locally-sourced reclaimed wood and recycled materials, and the roof was made using prefabricated, heat preserving panels. Recycled water from the home’s showers and baths is used to flush the toilets; its landscaping system removes the need for additional irrigation water; and its windows and doors are triple glazed to reduce heat transfer.

Built by Naikoon Contracting Ltd. in 18 months, the North Vancouver home received three levels of green certification.

In July 2013, Toronto City Council unanimously approved a $20 million pilot water and energy efficiency program for improvements to private residential properties. The launch of this three-year pilot program was officially announced on March 25, 2014.

HELP is a new financing tool offered by the City of Toronto to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money.

Upgrading your insulation, replacing an old furnace with a high-efficiency one, and upgrading to high efficiency windows/doors are examples of cost-effective improvements – also called retrofits – that can cut your energy bills, improve home comfort, and reduce harmful emissions to the environment. For many people, however, the high upfront cost of these improvements can be a barrier to taking action.

Low interest loans are available to qualifying homeowners who are interested in improving the energy and water efficiency of their home. Through HELP, the City will provide the funding required to complete the improvements and the homeowner will repay the City over time through installments on their property tax bill.

Many Ontario homeowners don’t know which renovations can decrease premiums, but are willing to find savings: 84% said they would be likely to make certain upgrades to their home if they could save money on insurance premiums in the longer term. “Simple renovations like installing security devices, such as alarm systems and deadbolts, or fixing your weathered roof may decrease your premiums,” says Dave Minor, a vice president at TD Insurance.

On the other hand, many homeowners in Ontario don’t know the types of renovations that can impact their premiums: 55% don’t know that installing granite countertops or expensive appliances could increase their premiums, and one-in-five are unaware that upgrading your electrical system or replacing a weathered roof could lower your premiums.

“Remember, anything that may impact the value of your home or probability of a claim will also affect what and how much insurance coverage you need,” says Minor. “Although water proofing your basement may not be as exciting as new stainless steel kitchen appliances, these types of renovations can help protect your home and belongings. It’s always a good idea to talk to your insurance provider to understand more about your coverage.”

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“If my contractor is injured on my property while working, his insurance will cover it.”

Contractors are trained professionals, but accidents can and do happen. Thirty-eight percent of homeowners in Ontario incorrectly believe that if a contractor is hurt on their property while working, they (the homeowner) will not be liable.

“If a contractor or their employees are injured on your property, you could be liable for their medical bills, lost wages, or damages for pain and suffering – all out of your own pocket,” says Dave Minor, a vice president at TD Insurance. “When choosing a builder, ask to see their public liability insurance certificate. The amount of insurance coverage they have would depend on the type of renovation, the number of employees, and cost of the renovation. The higher the limits of coverage, the more protection you would have.”

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“My home will be covered under my original insurance policy during renovations.”

Forty-eight percent of Ontario homeowners incorrectly believe they will always be covered by their original home insurance policy while their home is being renovated. Twenty-seven percent are unaware that moving out for more than 30 days during renovations requires a policy update.

“Upgrades requiring extensive work, such as adding an extension to your home, may require you to change your entire policy to a building under construction,” says Dave Minor, a vice president at TD Insurance. “And, if you’re not living in your home during renovations, it becomes an easier target for thieves and undetected water damage, which is why your insurer may require you to secure a vacancy permit if you move out for more than a month.”

Majority of Ontarian Homeowners don’t think about insurance before they renovate

*TD Insurance survey shows Ontario homeowners don’t have all the facts on home renovations

TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ – You have hired a contractor, approved the plans and ordered new appliances – but are you really ‘reno ready’? Research from TD Insurance has found the majority of Ontario homeowners are not considering the insurance implications of their renovations: only 6% checked their policy to ensure they were covered during their latest renovation and just 14% asked their insurer if their policy needed an update following their upgrades.

“Whether you’re installing water-efficient plumbing or simply new cabinetry, before you pick up a hammer or drill, it’s important to understand and learn more about the insurance implications of upgrading your home,” says Dave Minor, a vice president at TD Insurance. “For example, while being handy around the home is convenient for upgrades such as painting or installing crown molding, more challenging projects like tackling the electrical work yourself could actually invalidate your insurance policy. Speaking with your insurance provider can be a quick way to help clarify the unknown.”

About TD Insurance: TD Insurance offers a wide range of products to help protect clients from the ‘accidents of life’ including credit protection, auto, home, health, life, and travel insurance. With more than 3 million clients, TD Insurance authorized products and services are available through a network of more than 1,150 TD Canada Trust branches, the Internet and telephone. For more information, visit www.tdinsurance.com or visit the TD Insurance Learning Centre.

Stay tuned for three common home insurance myth busters … Coming Soon!

*About the TD Insurance Survey: TD Insurance commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct an online custom survey of 2,748 Canadians aged 18 and older, including 654 homeowners in Ontario who have insurance. Responses were collected from February 7 to 18, 2013.

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Alison Gray, Sales Representative

YourCityYourHome@gmail.com
Office: 416.486.5588 (24/7)

Selling and/or buying a home can be at once exhilarating and overwhelming. With twenty years of experience in the real estate industry I've learned what it takes to meet my clients where they’re at and guide them in the way they need.

With a keen ability to ask the right questions, I quickly understand my clients’ needs and desires. Truly interested in their wellbeing and long term satisfaction, I patiently guide my buyer clients through the process of finding the right home, in the right area, at the right price, and consistently secure my seller clients the best possible sale outcome in the least amount of time possible.

Working with me, it's all about you! I will strive to gain and build your trust, maintain your comfort throughout the process, and ultimately see that you are completely satisfied with the end result. I truly consider getting to be a part of my clients’ journey an honour and a privilege. I look forward to walking with you through yours!

Seller Info

Your Toronto Neighbourhoods

Toronto Summer Festivals

LuminatoJune 10th, 2016

Luminato includes art, theatre, film, dance, music and literary events from local, regional and international artists, playwrights and filmmakers. They’ll be showcasing their talents to the city throughout the seventeen day event. David Pecaut Square (at the corner of King St. W. and John St.) continues to be the Luminato Festival Hub for the full ten days with nightly free concerts and events.
This year, 1000 performers take part in the experience, and featured performances include Rufus Wainright performing the works of Judy Garland, the dance performance monumental, and the Scottish epic The James Plays trilogy.
Check out more info and buy tickets at: https://luminatofestival.com/

Some Words of Reference

Alison was instrumental in helping us finding the ideal condo, despite our demanding criteria. Her knowledge, dedication, continuous patience, and good humour all make her the go-to person. We recommend her for her good work!

Victor Zheng and Yi Luo
December 2012
Davisville Village
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Alison Gray is a pleasure to work with. Her attention to detail, dedication to getting exactly what her clients want, knowledge of the market place, and her drive to go that bit extra for her clients are why I hired her; and why I would again.

…Alison’s commitment, care, and professionalism during the sale process were without compromise. Her patience, special approach, and dedication made our real estate experience an exceedingly positive one. Her willingness to go the extra mile made all the difference … Alison surpassed all of our greatest expectations, standards, and we will forever be grateful to her for all of that and more. Her knowledge, resourcefulness, and professionalism were incredible … her experience as a real estate agent provided us with remarkable resources. Most importantly, she earned our trust and operated with honesty and integrity. Alison is a credit to the realtor profession and to RE/MAX. We will highly recommend Alison to anyone seeking an excellent real estate agent in Toronto.

Mike and I wanted to send you a note to tell you how much we appreciated all your efforts on our behalf regarding the house on Logan Avenue. You were so helpful finding the property for us and were there every step of the way. You were especially reassuring during the trying circumstances that unfolded before the closing date. We would certainly love to use your services again in the future and we would highly recommend you to any of our friends and colleagues.

We have worked with Alison when buying our condo. As first time buyers we had many questions as well as many concerns and worries. Alison was great as she patiently allowed us to explore all the options and suggested ideas that we did not think about. I have never felt pushed or rushed to make a decision. Once we finally picked the condo we wanted to buy I was impressed by her professionalism and negotiation style. We always felt that we knew what was happening at each step of the process. We are now proud owners of our new condo and could not be happier with our decision. I want to thank Alison for leading us through the stressful process of first time home buying with such ease. We would definitely recommend Alison to our friends and family.

I wanted to take the opportunity to express our gratitude for all your assistance throughout the sales process of my mother’s house. Your local real estate knowledge and attention to detail was invaluable from the home staging, offer, inspection, and closing processes. In an ever-changing local real estate environment we found that having you ‘on our side’ was a tremendous advantage to us and we are thankful to have worked with you.

During a very stressful time for my mother, your professionalism in carrying out your responsibilities as our agent was beyond reproach. Your attention to all the details, responding to phone calls, and keeping us abreast of everything that was happening certainly took a lot of the pressure off us.

I would not hesitate to recommend you to any of my friends or clients who might need a Realtor in the future.

Vera Archer
November 2009
Whitby
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Alison Gray worked as the agent representing our two families when we purchased our home in 2009. The property we were searching for (and the one we found) was atypical in all respects as we were trying to accommodate two families in separate but attached dwellings, as well as one person with serious special needs. Alison understood our needs unquestioningly and respectfully and was creative in sourcing options for us. In two separate offers, several months apart from one another, she worked hard to represent us and finally negotiated the seller to a price that we were pleased with. Her honesty, in particular, stood out in that process as she could have easily coached us to pay the seller what he wanted, despite the fact that she and we knew the price was beyond unreasonable.

Alison is extremely personable, confident, and capable. We have recommended her to several sets of friends, all of whom have been impressed by and pleased with her work. We will continue to recommend her to anyone who is looking for an agent.

Thank you so much for your patience, help, understanding, and outstanding work in helping us find our first home.

It is truly a blessing to have someone who is honest, straight forward, and trustworthy working on our behalf.

Marianne and Michael Sigmond
July 2007
Eglinton East
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Ms. Gray represented us in the sale of our condo. She assisted us in staging our condo properly and guided us along every step of the way to the sale of our property. We successfully sold our condo in Toronto during a very competitive period of the market quicker than the average time in the industry at the time. Ms. Gray pays attention to detail and works hard on understanding exactly what her clients needs are. She comes highly recommended from us.